of two hundred years,
being a family and national heirloom, and an object of superstitious
reverence as the emblem of sovereignty. The delivery of it to the prince
of Wales was regarded as a transfer of political dominion, an admission
that the latent hopes of the Bhonsla family were now merged in loyalty to
the crown of England.

The blades of the best weapons have been made for many ages of the
magnetic iron obtained twenty miles east of Nirmul, a few miles south of
the Shisla Hills, in a hornblende or schist formation. The magnetic iron
is melted with charcoal without any flux, and obtained at once in a
perfectly tough and malleable state. It is superior to any English or
Swedish iron. It is perhaps unnecessary to remind readers that the famous
blades of Damascus were forged from Indian steel. Some of the blades are
watered, others chased in half relief with hunting-scenes--some serrated,
others flamboyant. A very striking object is a suit of armor of the horny
scales of the Indian armadillo, ornamented with encrusted gold, turquoises
and garnets. Another suit is of Kashmir chain-armor almost as fine as
lace. Others have damascened breastplates, the gold wire being inserted in
undercut lines engraved in the steel, and incorporated therewith by
hammering. Five cases are filled with the matchlocks of various tribes and
nations--one with its barrel superbly damascened in gold with a
poppy-flower pattern, another with a stock carved in ivory, with
hunting-scenes in cameo. Enamelled and jewelled mountings are seen, with
all the fanciful profusion of ornament with which the semi-barbarian will
deck his favorite weapon. The splendor of Indian arms is largely due to
the lavish use of diamonds, rubies, emeralds and other precious stones,
mainly introduced for their effect in color, few of them being of great
value as gems. Stones with flaws, and others which are mere chips or
scales, are laid on like tinsel. Two cases are filled with gaudy trappings
and caparisons--horse and camel saddles with velvet and leather work, gold
embroidery and cut-cloth work (_applique_); an elephant howdah of silver;
chowries of yak tails with handles of sandal-wood, chased gold or carved
ivory; gold-embroidered holsters and elaborate whips which will hold no
more ornamentation than has been crowded upon them. The yak's-tail
chowries, or fly-brushes, and the fans of peacocks' feathers, are emblems
of royalty throughout the East.

The metal ware o